Amur Leopard - A Critically Endangered Species

Amur leopards are beautiful and majestic cats that are on the list of critically endangered species in the world with only around 35 individuals  existing in the wild. That is a really small number at the brink of extinction.

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), Philadelphia Zoo
Source: By Art G. from Willow Grove, PA, USA (Amur Leopard) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

As the name indicates, they are found in the Amur valley region in the temperate forests of Far east Russia and China and hence the name Far Eastern Leopard too!

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Source: By User:Cacophony (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons 

The have a lighter coloured coat with longer fur in winter and a bit darker coloured coat with shorter fur in summer. Their legs are longer compared to the other leopard species, adapted to walk easily in the snow.

Amur leopard in its habitat

Source: worldwildlife.org

The female Amur leopards give birth to between one and four cubs at a time and they are born with eyes closed. Their prey are different varieties of deer, black bear cubs, fowls, hare, etc.

Amur leopard cubs

Source: wildexplorer.org

These big cats live for 10 to 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity

If you wish to read more about the Amur Leopards in depth, like their characteristics, behaviour, food, range, habitat, reproduction, main threats, conservation efforts and facts, please follow the link below!

Amur Leopard - A Critically Endangered Species

Amur leopard range

Source: wwf.org.uk

Distribution of the Amur leopard

Source: amur-heilong.net

The Amur leopards are under serious threat for the following reasons

• Scarcity of prey due to poaching and illegal logging
• Illegal wildlife trade where leopards' fur and antelopes of its prey are traded
• Destruction of leopard and prey habitat for construction of roads
• Forest conversion for farming and agriculture
• Traditional medicines that use bones of leopards and antlers of the leopard prey
• Forest fire
• Diseases and natural catastrophes
• Preventive killing when the leopards kill livestock due to scarcity of prey
• Inbreeding due to low population.

Snares and leopard skin, anti-poaching photo

Source: altaconservation.org

Conservation efforts taken to protect the Amur Leopards:

WWF is working along with many other partnership organisations to protect the Amur Leopards and to conserve them and their habitat.

• New protected areas have been established
• Camera traps set up to monitor the leopards and their prey
• Anti poaching activities
• Stopping public transport near leopard habitat
• Captive breeding programs
• Educating and creating awareness about the importance of conservation and protection of the leopards

 

Skin of Amur leopard

Source: panda.org

Did you know? The Amur leopards are the only leopards that live at higher altitudes and colder regions!!!
 

• You can help protect and conserve the Amur leopards by Donating to WWF or adopting an Amur Leopard.
• You can also just spread the word among your friends and family and others about the plight of these leopards.
• And most important of all, Please DO NOT buy any products made of leopard parts.

Amur leopard cub

Source: altaconservation.org

Did you know? A female Amur leopard with cubs needs fifty percent more food than when she is without cubs!!!

Amur Leopard - A Critically Endangered Species

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope you have had a wonderful week so far.

Peace!

Livingsta :-)